March is National Cerebral Palsy Month in the United States and is an opportunity to highlight the history of cerebral palsy advocacy - where we’ve been, where we are currently, and the opportunities that are ahead.
Cynthia Frisina discusses the purpose and importance of Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month and Day to bring people together to advocate for better healthcare, research advancements, funding and more those with CP and their families.
Mobility technology can enhance the lives of young children with disabilities in ways parents often never consider. Learn about how it can help your child beyond getting from point A to point B!
People with disabilities represent more than 27% of the United States adult population, making them the single largest minority group in the country. This new NIH designation, new research program and update to NIH mission are actions to ensure inclusion of people with disabilities.
This comprehensive review of the research evidence surrounding supportive stepping for individuals, GMFCS IV and V, provides helpful information for families to make practical decisions about for whom, when, and how long to use a supported stepping device (also known as gait trainers).
This comprehensive review of the research evidence surrounding supportive standing for individuals, GMFCS IV and V, provides helpful information for families to make practical decisions about for whom, when, and how long to use a standing device.
Author summary on stakeholder perspectives of pediatric powered wheelchair standing devices.
The bipartisan, Cerebral Palsy Research Act, is introduced by Congressman Steve Cohen of Tennessee. Read more here:
We studied how common pain was thought to be due to muscle spasticity in the legs or arms is in children/adolescents with CP.
The 2023 Appropriations Act has passed and thanks to advocacy by the cerebral palsy community, it includes the strongest language and funding yet for cerebral palsy!
NCART Standing Device Funding Guide contains all the information needed to choose, measure, and write a letter of medical necessity for a standing device.
Supportive Standing Devices, also known as Standers, are frequently recommended equipment for individuals who are primarily wheelchair users. There are lots of different types of standers which can support a range of different physical and activity needs. Learn more about them here!
Standing devices and standing wheelchair devices are frequently prescribed and often denied equipment options for individuals with cerebral palsy. The attached paper provides evidence and guidance to help appeal to insurers for this equipment.
Complex Rehabilitation Technology serves to enhance the lives of individuals who utilize it with the goals of maximizing health, wellbeing, participation and independence.
RESNA (Rehab Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America) is a great place to find highly qualified rehab and assistive technology professionals in your area. They also have provided their research to help providers and the families they serve make decisions about powered mobility for young children.
Jen Lyman provides a parent perspective on powered wheelchair standing devices as it relates to Dr. Lisa Kenyon's research article.
Powered mobility can offer users young and old a level of freedom and independence that may not be achieved through manual wheelchairs or other mobility devices.
Powered mobility has the ability to do so much more than help an individual get from point a to point b. Check out this episode of Cerebral Palsy Health with researcher Lisa Kenyon, PT, DPT, PhD to learn more.
On Thursday, March 24th, 2022, the Cerebral Palsy Foundation hosted the first ever Cerebral Palsy Congressional Briefing with a panel of physicians, patient and self advocates.
CPF Executive Director Rachel Byrne and Mary Gannotti, PhD, PT discuss pain across the lifespan in cerebral palsy.
Early powered mobility has been shown to improve cognition in children with multiple, complex disabilities.
Pain in people with cerebral palsy is very common, and probably not evaluated frequently enough.
A lot of people with cerebral palsy will experience pain over the course of their life. Through better assessment we can provide better interventions, which will lead to a better quality of life.
The Cerebral Palsy Foundation has created a factsheet to help guide you in understanding and treating pain with CP. This fact sheet has been created for individuals with cerebral palsy to provide basic guidance surrounding common causes and potential treatment of pain.
